Just Mercy

Just Mercy is a true story based on Bryan Stevenson's best selling 2014 memoir, Just Mercy. It explores the early days of Bryan Stevenson's career as an attorney working in Alabama to reverse convictions determined on lack of evidence and biased court systems. The film centers on the case of Walter McMillan, otherwise known as Johnny D, who was wrongfully arrested for the murder of an 18 year old white woman based off fabricated testimonies. McMillian was on death row from 1987 until 1993 when his case was reversed.

Just Mercy brings power to the story by bringing emotion and causing audiences to become infuriated and outraged by the racism and bigotry of the court system. The movie doesn't shy away from the realities and anger of its story. It explores the bias against the poor and the focus on protecting the reputations of those in power. The writer and director Destin Daniel Cretton excels at getting this message across to all audience members no matter race, gender, political association or social standing. It is evident that there is a problem in the system and this film delivers the truth that touches all who watch. It raises emotions to take action at the inequality in the justice system as audience members get outraged by the courts ruling with their lack of evidence and case.

Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson all deliver powerful performances. They all become immersed in their characters, The film also excels in making the characters feel like they can be our brothers, uncles, sister and mothers. There is a connection of humanity that transfers off screen. The visuals of these film were astonishing from the scenes of the electric chair to McMillian walking out of the jail to the sound of the clanging from the other prisoners. There was times in the movie to breath with all the unfair trials and racism happening simultaneously.

Overall the film is definitely worth a watch. The film needs to be discussed and absorbed by people from all backgrounds. There needs to be more discussion of the criminal system and action needs to happen from all this discussion. It is exciting to see a major company like Warner Brothers take on this story and bring it to light. We need more people at the table to bring these to the screen and start the discussions to take action. Injustice is still around us and we can't be blind to it.